Multiple pump system

ABSTRACT

A multiple pump system is disclosed. The multiple pump system may include a fluid tank and a multiple pump vessel connected to the fluid tank. The multiple pump vessel may include at least one first pump and at least one second pump located therein. In addition, the at least one first pump may be configured to dispense a fluid from the fluid tank at a first pressure, and the at least one second pump may be configured to dispense the fluid from the fluid tank at a second pressure. The first pressure may be different from the second pressure, such that the at least one first pump may be configured to dispense liquefied natural gas, and the at least one second pump may be configured to dispense compressed natural gas.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/495,415,filed Apr. 24, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/131,403, filed Apr. 18, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,663,345),which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/564,400,filed Aug. 1, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,316,215). The contents of all ofthe above-mentioned applications are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to pump systems,and more particularly, fluid pump systems that include multiple pumps ina single vessel for dispensing liquids, such as cryogenic liquids andfuels (e.g., liquefied natural gas).

BACKGROUND

Generally, natural gas (NG) presents a viable fuel alternative to fuels,for example, gasoline and diesel fuel. Specifically, NG may be utilizedas an alternative fuel to power vehicles and machinery. NG can beliquefied, becoming known as liquefied natural gas (LNG), fortransporting to a usage site. At a usage site, cryogenic pumps areusually used to pump LNG to a pressure of approximately 230 psig fordispensing LNG into vehicles and higher pressure cryogenic pumps areused to pressurize LNG to approximately 4000 psig, which is thenvaporized to make compressed natural gas (CNG) to dispense CNG intovehicles. The LNG to CNG system is typically referred to asliquefied-to-compressed natural gas (LCNG). A primary concern,therefore, is the ability to quickly and efficiently pump LNG and/orLCNG to the required pressures for dispensing.

Quickly and efficiently pumping LNG and LCNG for dispensing may requiremultiple cryogenic pumps at a usage site. Typically, cryogenic pumps forLNG and LCNG dispensing are individually located in vacuum insulatedvessels. The location of the pumps in vacuum insulated vessels allowsfor maintaining each pump at an optimum temperature for pumping LNG.That is, pumping LNG or other cryogenic fluids may require the use ofpumps at a low temperature to prevent cavitation. When pumps are incontact with ambient temperatures, they may require a time-consumingcooling process prior to starting. When cryogenic pumps are locatedwithin vacuum-insulated vessels containing the cryogenic fluid, they donot need to go through the lengthy cooling process, which enablesquick-start of the cryogenic pumps for quick LNG and LCNG dispensingoperations.

Each insulated vessel may include piping, valves, instrumentation, andvents. Accordingly, with the addition of each cryogenic pump at a usagesite comes greater reliability concerns and increased monetary costsassociated with each individual insulated vessel and associated piping,valves, instrumentation, and vents. There exists a need, therefore, fora multiple pump system that includes multiple pumps in a singleinsulated vessel in order to reduce costs associated with individualinsulated vessels, while improving reliability and efficiency of pumpingLNG and/or LCNG for dispensing at usage sites.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multiple pump system is disclosed. The multiple pump system mayinclude a multiple pump vessel to house pumps, for instance, cryogenicpumps. The multiple pump vessel may house at least one first pump and atleast one second pump. For instance, the at least one first pump mayinclude zero, one or more low pressure cryogenic pump(s); and the atleast one second pump may include zero, one or more high pressurecryogenic pump(s). In some embodiments, the multiple pump system mayhave all low pressure cryogenic pumps, or all high pressure cryogenicpumps. Cryogenic fluid may be gravity fed to the multiple pump vesselfrom one or more larger cryogenic storage vessels. The at least onefirst pump and the at least one second pump may be at least partiallysubmerged within a fluid, for instance, a cryogenic fluid, in themultiple pump vessel, and the at least one first pump may be configuredto pump a fluid at a different pressure than the at least one secondpump.

In various embodiments, the multiple pump system may include one or moreof the following additional features: the multiple pump system mayinclude at least one first power source that may be configured toprovide power to the at least one first pump and at least one secondpower source that may be configured to provide power to the at least onesecond pump; the at least one first power source may be configured tooperate the at least one first pump at a first power level, the at leastone second power source may be configured to operate the at least onesecond pump at a second power level, and the first power level may bedifferent from the second power level; the at least one first powersource may be located within or exterior to the multiple pump vessel;and the at least one second power source may be located within orexterior to the multiple pump vessel; the at least one first and/orsecond power source may be an electric motor, a pneumatic motor orhydraulic motor; the fluid may be a cryogenic fluid in the form ofliquefied natural gas, and the at least one first pump and the at leastone second pump may be configured to pump the cryogenic fluid such thatthe at least one first pump may be configured to pump LNG for LNGdispensing and the at least one second pump may be configured to pumpLCNG for CNG dispensing; the at least one first pump may include aplurality of first pumps, and the at least one second pump may include aplurality of at least one second pumps; the at least one first pump andthe at least one second pump may be partially or fully submerged withinthe fluid in the multiple pump vessel; and there may be a firstdischarge line extending from the at least one first pump and a seconddischarge line extending from the at least one second pump, wherein thefirst and second discharge lines may be configured to dispense the fluidat the first and second pressures, respectively.

A further multiple pump system is disclosed. The multiple pump systemmay include a fluid tank. A first insulated vessel may be connected tothe fluid tank, and the first insulated vessel may include a pluralityof first pumps located therein. A second insulated vessel may beconnected to at least one of the fluid tank and the first insulatedvessel, and the second insulated vessel may include a plurality ofsecond pumps located therein. The plurality of first pumps may beconfigured to dispense a fluid from the fluid tank at a first pressure,the plurality of second pumps may be configured to dispense the fluidfrom the fluid tank or a first discharge line at a second pressure, andthe first pressure may be different from the second pressure. In someembodiments, the first pressure may be a low pressure, and the secondpressure may be a high pressure, or vice versa. In other embodiments,the first and second pressures may be two different high pressures, orthe first and second pressures may be two different low pressures. Inaddition, the fluid may be a liquefied natural gas; and the plurality offirst pumps may be configured to dispense liquefied natural gas, and theplurality of second pumps may be configured to dispense compressednatural gas.

Additional objects and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth inpart in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosedembodiments. The objects and advantages of the disclosure will berealized and attained by means of the elements and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of thedisclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a multiple pump system, according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a multiple pump system, according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to systems forpumping fluid. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosurerelate to multiple pump systems for pumping fluids, such as fuels,including, but not limited to, cryogenic fluids. Cryogenic fluids mayinclude, but are not limited to, natural gas, oxygen, argon, hydrogen,and nitrogen, each in either liquid or gas form. While the presentdisclosure may refer to LNG as the fluid to be employed, it should beappreciated that any suitable fluid may be used that may be configuredto be pumped by embodiments of the present disclosure. The pumpingsystem can be configured to deliver any fluid to a use device, forinstance, a vehicle, a ship (not shown), or the like, for fueling.Moreover, the systems and devices described herein can performnon-fueling applications, such as the delivery of fluids to use devicesfor industrial or non-transportation-related purposes. In addition tovehicles, any other use device may receive the fluid dispensed by thepumping system.

Although FIG. 1 depicts a fluid dispensing system as including a numberof various components, those of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that one or more of the depicted components may be replacedand/or eliminated without altering the principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a multiple pump system 1, according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure. Multiple pump system 1 may includeone or more fluid tanks 12. Fluid tank 12 may include an insulatedcontainer for storing a large volume of fluid that may be pumped viamultiple pump system 1. As previously discussed, embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be configured to pump any suitable fluid, suchas, for example, cryogenic fuels. Fluid tank 12 may accordingly beconfigured to insulate any suitable fluid that may be configured to bepumped by multiple pump system 1. Suitable fluids may include, but arenot limited to, liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, liquid argon, and liquidnitrogen. In one embodiment, for example, fluid tank 12 may be filledwith LNG.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, fluid tank 12 may be a single fluid storageunit or one of multiple operably connected fluid tanks 12 configured tostore fluid to be pumped by multiple pump system 1. Fluid tank 12 may bea stationary storage unit that may be configured to remain at a singlefluid pumping site. Alternatively, fluid tank 12 may be part of amovable trailer, such that fluid tank 12 may be transported to variousfluid pumping sites.

Fluid tank 12 may be vacuum insulated, foam insulated, or include anyother type of insulation suitable for storage of the fluid. In addition,fluid tank 12 may be any suitable shape, including but not limited to,cylindrical, barrel-shaped, rectangular, and trapezoidal, and may beoriented in a horizontal or vertical direction.

Fluid tank 12 may additionally include one or more vent stacks (notshown). The vent stacks may be configured to reduce pressure withinfluid tank 12 by selectively allowing vapor pressure to be released fromfluid tank 12. One or more valves may be operatively coupled to the oneor more vent stacks. Each valve may be capable of at least twoconfigurations. A first configuration may be a closed configuration suchthat vapor may substantially remain in fluid tank 12, and a secondconfiguration may be an open configuration and may allow vapor to flowfrom fluid tank 12, through the valves, and out the vent stacks. The oneor more valves may be configured to be transitioned between the first,closed configuration and the second, open configuration manually or viaan automated controls.

Fluid tank 12 may additionally include one or more pressure sensors (notshown) and/or one or more indicators, such as a level indicator (notshown). The one or more indicators may be any suitable audio or visualindicator. Moreover, the one or more pressure sensors may be configuredto sense vapor pressure within fluid tank 12. The one or more pressuresensors may further be configured to communicate (in a wired or wirelessconnection) with the one or more indicators when the vapor pressure isabove a predetermined threshold, which may thereby indicate the need toopen one or more valves and release pressure through the one or morevent stacks.

Fluid tank 12 may further include one or more inlets 13 that may beconfigured to allow fluid tank 12 to be filled with a quantity of fluid.The inlets 13 may be configured to be positioned anywhere on fluid tank12 (e.g., an upper or lower region). Inlets 13 may additionally beconfigured with manual and automatic valves for opening and closinginlets 13. Alternatively, maintenance devices and/or measuring devicesmay be configured to be integral with fluid tank 12. The maintenancedevices may include any suitable means for maintaining fluid tank 12including, but not limited to, de-icers, means for removing condensationfrom fluid tank 12 from any inlets, outlets, conduits, valves, ornozzles, and/or security devices to prevent tampering therewith.

In addition, inlets 13 may be configured for inserting or removingmeasuring devices from fluid tank 12. The measuring devices may beconfigured to measure one or more properties of the fluid within fluidtank 12. In one embodiment, for example, measuring devices may beoperatively coupled to a display, an automated control, and/or any othersuitable means for communicating measurement data to an external reader.Such measuring devices may include, but are not limited to, sensors fordetecting pressure, temperature, fluid level, motion, and indicators fordetermining whether maintenance may be necessary. The measuring devicesmay be configured to signal to a system operator in an audio and/orvisual manner when certain conditions are present and/or possible withregards to fluid tank 12. Fluid tank 12 may further be operativelycoupled to one or more outlets 15. The one or more outlets 15 may beconfigured to remove a quantity of fluid from fluid tank 12, and may bepositioned anywhere on fluid tank 12 (e.g., an upper region, a lowerregion, and/or a side region). The one or more outlets 15 may alsoinclude one or more nozzles or vortex breakers (not shown), forinstance, to facilitate the transfer of fluid out of fluid tank 12. Oneor more of these outlets 15 may include a drain system (not shown). Thedrain system may include an emergency drain system, whereby a deviceoperator and/or an automated system may be configured to drain fluidtank 12 in response to certain conditions. In addition, the one or moreoutlets 15 may be configured to drain fluid tank 12 for maintenance orrepairs.

The one or more outlets 15 may further be in operative communicationwith one or more conduits 14. Conduit 14 may be any suitable hollowstructure configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough from aninterior region of fluid tank 12 to an interior region of a multiplepump vessel 10. Accordingly, conduit 14 may include, but is not limitedto, a pipe or a hose, for example. Conduit 14 may further include one ormore valves 16. Valve 16 may be configured to allow or substantiallyprevent communication between the interior region of fluid tank 12 andthe interior region of multiple pump vessel 10. Valve 16 may thereforebe configured to be transitioned manually and/or automatically between afirst, closed configuration and a second, open configuration.

Fluid tank 12 may further be operatively coupled to one or more vapornozzles 50. One or more vapor nozzles 50 may be positioned anywhere onfluid tank 12, for instance, an upper region, a lower region, or acentral region. One or more vapor nozzles 50 may also include one ormore deflector plates (not shown) to facilitate the transfer of vaporinto and out of out of fluid tank 12. Outlets 19, 21 may be associatedwith multiple pump vessel 10 and may be configured to facilitate thetransfer for vapor out of multiple pump vessel 10.

One or more vapor nozzles 50 and outlets 19, 21 may further be inoperative communication with one or more conduits 51. Conduit 51 may beany suitable hollow structure configured to allow fluid to flow betweenthe interior region of fluid tank 12 and the interior region of multiplepump vessel 10. Accordingly, conduit 51 may include, but is not limitedto, a pipe or a hose, for instance. Conduit 51 may further include oneor more valves 52. Valve 52 may be configured to allow or substantiallyprevent communication between the interior region of fluid tank 12 andthe interior region of multiple pump vessel 10. Valve 52 may thereforebe configured to be transitioned manually and/or automatically between afirst, closed configuration and a second, open configuration.

The fluid in fluid tank 12 may be configured to flow into conduit 14 viaany means known to those skilled in the art. As illustrated in FIG. 1,in one embodiment, fluid may flow into conduit 14 via natural gravityflow by allowing pressure in an upper region of fluid tank 12 tosubstantially equal the pressure in an upper region of multiple pumpvessel 10 via conduit 51 and valve 52. Alternatively, or in addition,fluid may be dispersed into conduit 14 via one or more pumps (notshown).

As discussed above, conduit 14 and conduit 51 may be in operativecommunication with multiple pump vessel 10. Multiple pump vessel 10 mayinclude an insulated vessel 24, such as a vacuum insulated vessel,having, for instance, foam insulation or any other suitable type ofinsulation device.

FIG. 1 illustrates that multiple pump system 1 may include a singlemultiple pump vessel 10. In alternative embodiments, however, multiplepump system 1 may include any desired number of multiple pump vessels10, so long as each multiple pump vessel 10 may be directly and/orindirectly connected to fluid tank 12 in order to receive fluid fromfluid tank 12. For example, in one embodiment, multiple pump system 1may include two multiple pump vessels 10. Each multiple pump vessel 10may be connected to fluid tank 12 via a respective conduit 14 having avalve 16. In addition, multiple pump vessels 10 may be connected to oneanother via a conduit 14 having a valve 16. Moreover, multiple pumpvessel 10 may be a stationary storage unit that may be configured toremain at a single fluid pumping site. Alternatively, multiple pumpvessel 10 may be part of a movable trailer, such that multiple pumpvessel 10 may be configured to be transported to multiple fluid pumpingsites.

Multiple pump vessel 10 and/or insulated vessel 24 may be any suitableinsulated container configured for storing and dispensing a volume offluid from fluid tank 12. Accordingly, multiple pump vessel 10 and/orinsulated vessel 24 may include, but are not limited to, a vacuumvessel, vacuum jacket, or any other type of insulated containerconfiguration. In addition, multiple pump vessel 10 and/or insulatedvessel 24 may be any suitable shape, including, but not limited to,cylindrical, barrel-shaped, rectangular, and trapezoidal, and may beoriented in a horizontal or vertical direction. Multiple pump vessel 10and/or insulated vessel 24 may further be of any suitable size. In oneembodiment, for example, multiple pump vessel 10 and/or insulated vessel24 may be configured to contain a maximum volume of fluid that is lessthan a maximum volume of fluid stored in fluid tank 12. Similar to fluidtank 12, multiple pump vessel 10 and/or insulated vessel 24 may beconfigured to insulate any suitable fluid that may be configured to bepumped by multiple pump system 1. Suitable fluids may include, but arenot limited to, LNG, liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, liquid argon, andliquid nitrogen. In one embodiment, for example, multiple pump vessel 10and/or insulated vessel 24 may be configured to be filled with andinsulate LNG.

Embodiments of multiple pump vessel 10 may further include one or morefeatures that are similar to features contained in and/or on fluid tank12. For example, multiple pump vessel 10 may include one or more ventstacks 53 configured to reduce pressure within multiple pump vessel 10by selectively allowing vapor pressure to be released from multiple pumpvessel 10. Accordingly, multiple pump vessel 10 may further include oneor more vent valves 54 and one of more drain valves 55 operativelycoupled to one or more vent stacks 53. As previously discussed inrelation to fluid tank 12, each valve 54, 55 may be capable of at leasttwo configurations, including, but not limited to, a closedconfiguration and an open configuration; and the one or more valves maybe configured to be transitioned between the at least two configurationsvia manual and/or automated controls.

Multiple pump vessel 10 may additionally include one or more pressuresensors 56 and/or one or more audio and/or visual indicators (notshown). One or more pressure sensors 56 may be configured to sense vaporpressure within multiple pump vessel 10 and may be configured tocommunicate with the one or more indicators when the vapor pressure isabove a predetermined threshold, which may thereby indicate the need toopen one or more vent valves 54 and release pressure through one or morevent stacks 53. Moreover, additional measuring devices may be configuredto measure one or more properties of the fluid within multiple pumpvessel 10. In one embodiment, for example, measuring devices may beoperatively coupled to a display, an automated control, and/or any othersuitable means for communicating measurement data to an external reader.

Multiple pump vessel 10 may additionally include one or more temperaturesensors 57 and/or one or more audio and/or visual indicators (notshown). One or more pressure temperature sensors 57 may be configured tomeasure liquid temperature within multiple pump vessel 10 and may beconfigured to communicate with the one or more indicators when thetemperature is below a predetermined threshold to indicate that one ormore of pumps 26, 28 are at the required temperature for starting.

Additional measuring devices may include, but are not limited to,sensors for detecting fluid level, motion, and indicators fordetermining whether maintenance may be necessary. Similar to measuringdevices that may be configured to be associated with fluid tank 12, themeasuring devices included in and/or on multiple pump vessel 10 may beconfigured to signal to a system operator in an audio and/or visualmanner when certain conditions are present and/or possible with regardsto multiple pump vessel 10

FIG. 1 further illustrates that multiple pump vessel 10 may include oneor more inlets 18, 20 configured to be positioned anywhere on multiplepump vessel 10 (e.g., upper region, lower region, and/or side region).Inlets 18, 20 may be configured to allow multiple pump vessel 10 to befilled with a quantity of fluid from fluid tank 12. In addition, inlets18, 20 may be configured to allow for insertion and/or removal ofmaintenance and/or measuring devices. In an alternative embodiment,however, maintenance devices and/or measuring devices may be configuredto be integral with multiple pump vessel 10. As previously discussed,the maintenance devices may include any suitable means for maintainingmultiple pump vessel 10 including, but not limited to, de-icers, meansfor removing condensation from multiple pump vessel 10, and/or securitydevices to prevent tampering therewith.

Moreover, the measuring devices may be configured to measure one or moreproperties of the fluid within multiple pump vessel 10. In oneembodiment, for example, measuring devices may be operatively coupled toa display, an automated control, and/or any other suitable means forcommunicating measurement data to an external reader. Such measuringdevices may include, but are not limited to, sensors for detectingpressure, temperature, fluid level, motion, and indicators fordetermining whether maintenance may be necessary. Similar to measuringdevices that may be configured to be associated with fluid tank 12, themeasuring devices included in and/or on multiple pump vessel 10 may beconfigured to signal to a system operator in an audio and/or visualmanner when certain conditions are present and/or possible with regardsto multiple pump vessel 10.

In addition to one or more inlets 18, 20, and one of more outlets 19,21, multiple pump vessel 10 may include one or more outlets 58configured to be positioned anywhere on multiple pump vessel 10 (e.g.,an upper region, a lower region, and/or a side region). One or moreoutlets 58 may be configured to remove a quantity of fluid from multiplepump vessel 10. Accordingly, similar to fluid tank 12, the one or moreoutlets 58 may include one or more nozzles or pumps (not shown) tofacilitate the transfer of fluid out of multiple pump vessel 10. Inaddition, or alternatively, one or more outlets 58 may include a drainvalve 55 for draining the fluid from multiple pump vessel 10 in order toperform maintenance and/or repairs. The drain system may include anemergency drain system, whereby a device operator and/or an automatedsystem may be configured to drain the fluid in multiple pump vessel 10in response to certain sensed and/or measured conditions.

As alluded to above, multiple pump vessel 10 may also include at leastone first pump 26 and at least one second pump 28 located therein. Theat least one first pump 26 may include a plurality of first pumps 26,and the at least one second pump 28 may include a plurality of secondpumps 28. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the plurality of first pumps 26 mayinclude two first pumps 26, and the plurality of second pumps 28 mayinclude two second pumps 26. In other embodiments, however, there may beany desired number or combinations of first and second pumps 26, 28, solong as at least one first pump 26 and at least one second pump 28 arelocated within insulated vessel 24. In some embodiments, first pump 26may be the same type of pump as second pump 28. First pump(s) 26 andsecond pump(s) 28 may include any number of high pressure and/or lowpressure pumps. For instance, referring to FIG. 1, two first pumps 26may include two low pressure pumps, and two second pumps 28 may includetwo high pressure pumps. In other embodiments, multiple pump vessel 10may include no low pressure pumps or may include no high pressure pumps.Multiple pump vessel 10 may include any suitable number andconfiguration of low pressure and/or high pressure pumps.

The at least one first pump 26 and the at least one second pump 28 maybe any suitable pumps known to those skilled in the art. Suitable pumpsmay include, but are not limited to, gear pumps, plunger pumps, pistonpumps, centrifugal pumps, or any other positive displacement pump knownto those skilled in the art. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, for example,the at least one first pump 26 may be a centrifugal pump and the atleast one second pump 28 may be a piston pump.

Each of the at least one first pump 26 and the at least one second pump28 may be configured to dispense fluid from within multiple pump vessel10. In one embodiment, for example, when fluid from fluid tank 12 islocated within multiple pump vessel 10, the at least one first pump 26and the at least one second pump 28 may be configured to be at leastpartially submerged within the fluid in multiple pump vessel 10. Inalternative embodiments, the at least one first pump 26 and the at leastone second pump 28 may be fully submerged within the fluid in multiplepump vessel 10; and in further embodiments, the at least one first pump26 and the at least one second pump 28 may not be submerged within thefluid in multiple pump vessel 10.

In addition, the at least one first pump 26 may be configured todispense the fluid at a first pressure, and the at least one second pump28 may be configured to dispense the fluid at a second pressure. Thefirst pressure and the second pressure may be different from oneanother. For example, in one embodiment, the first pressure may be in arange of about 150 to 250 psi, whereas the second pressure may be in arange of about 4000 to 5000 psi. Accordingly, the at least one firstpump 26 may each include at least one pressure sensor 60 configured tosense the pressure of the pumped fluid or the differential pressureacross the at least one first pump 26. The at least one second pump 28may each include at least one pressure sensor 61 configured to sense thepressure of the pumped fluid or the differential pressure across the atleast one second pump 28. The pressure sensors may additionally be inwired or wireless communication with at least one audio and/or visualindicator, which may be configured to communicate pressure readings to adevice operator. In one embodiment, for example, the communication mayindicate whether the pressure of the pumped fluid is within apredetermined pressure range, which may thereby indicate whetheradjustments and/or repairs need to be made to the multiple pump systemin order to pump the fluid at the desired pressure from each of the atleast one first and second pumps 26, 28.

The difference in dispensed fluid pressure between the at least onefirst pump 26 and the at least one second pump 28 may enable each of thefirst and second pumps 26, 28 to dispense the fluid in different formsand/or states. For example, in the embodiment where the fluid is LNG,the at least one first pump 26 may be configured to dispense LNG in theform of LNG. The higher dispensing pressure of the at least one secondpump 28, however, may enable dispensing of LNG in the form of LCNG.

Each of the at least one first pump 26 and the at least one second pump28 may further include a respective power source 39, 38. That is, the atleast one first pump 26 may be connected to at least one first powersource 39 configured to drive the at least one first pump 26, and the atleast one second pump 28 may be connected to at least one second powersource 38 configured to drive the at least one second pump 28. Inalternative embodiments, however, a single power source may be connectedto multiple first and/or second pumps 26, 28. For example, in oneembodiment, a second power source 38 may be connected to a plurality ofsecond pumps 28. The at least one first and second power sources 39, 38may be any suitable power sources known to those skilled in the artincluding, but not limited to, electric, pneumatic, and hydraulicmotors.

The at least one first power source 39 and the at least one second powersource 38 may further be configured to provide the same or differentpower levels to the at least one first and second pumps 26, 28,respectively. In one embodiment, each of the first and second powersources 39, 38 may be configured to provide different levels of power tothe respective first and second pumps 26, 28 such that first and secondpumps 26, 28 may be configured to dispense the fluid at the previouslydiscussed different pressure levels. For example, the at least one firstpower source 39 may be configured to operate the at least one first pump26 at a power level in the range of about 20-30 hp. The at least onesecond power source 38, however, may be configured to operate the atleast one second pump 28 at a power level in the range of about 30-200hp. The at least one second power source 38 may further be configured toenable the at least one second pump 28 to start and stop based ondispensing demand, while reducing and/or substantially avoiding aninrush current. Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the at leastone first power source 39 may include an electric motor, and the atleast one second power source 38 may include a hydraulic motor.

The at least one first power source 39 and the at least one second powersource 38 may additionally include measurement devices configured tomeasure the output power level of each of the first and second powersources 39, 38. Similar to the pressure sensors 60, 61 associated withthe first and second pumps 26, 28, the measurement devices may be inwired or wireless communication with at least one audio and/or visualindicator for indicating the power level being output by each of thefirst and second power sources 39, 38 to the respective first and secondpumps 26, 28.

Moreover, the at least one first power source 39 and the at least onesecond power source 38 may be located within multiple pump vessel 10 orexterior to multiple pump vessel 10. That is, each of the first andsecond power sources 39, 38 may be located within multiple pump vessel10, or each of the first and second power sources 39, 38 may be locatedexterior to multiple pump vessel 10. Alternatively, the at least onefirst power source 39 may be located within multiple pump vessel 10, andthe at least one second power source 38 may be located exterior tomultiple pump vessel 10 and connected to the at least one second pump 28via any suitable power line or power shaft 48 known to those skilled inthe art.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that the first and second pumps 26, 28 areeach connected to a respective discharge line 30, 32, 34, 36. Dischargelines 30, 32, 34, 36 may be any hollow structure configured to transferpumped fluid. Accordingly, discharge lines 30, 32, 34, 36 may include,but are not limited to, a pipe and a hose. In addition, discharge lines30, 32, 34, 36 may include a first end configured to be connected to arespective pump 26, 28 and a second end configured to extend to a regionexterior multiple pump vessel 10 and operatively connect to adistribution location 40, 42.

Discharge lines 30, 32, 34, 36 may each include a portion between thefirst and second ends that extends through a respective opening 44 inmultiple pump vessel 10. Each opening 44 may additionally correspond toa respective one of the at least first pump 26 and the at least onesecond pump 26. Opening 44 may be flush against an outer surface ofinsulated vessel 24. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 1, opening 44may include a hollow structure extending from an outer surface ofinsulated vessel 24 to multiple pump vessel 10. The hollow structure ofopening 44 may be integral with or removably attached to insulatedvessel 24. Each opening 44 may further include any suitable size, shape,and/or configuration such that it may enable insertion and removal of arespective at least one first pump 26 and at least one second pump 28therethrough.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates that each of first and second pumps26, 28 includes a single respective discharge line 30, 32, 34, 36. Inalternative embodiments, however, each of first and second pumps 26, 28may be connected to any desired number of discharge lines. Eachdischarge line 30, 32 may be connected via line 31 to provide a commondischarge. In one embodiment, discharge lines 30, 31, and 32 may be lowpressure discharge lines, for example. Each discharge line 34, 36 may beconnected via line 33 to provide a common discharge. In one embodiment,discharge lines 33, 34, and 36 may be high pressure discharge lines, forinstance. Moreover, there may be any desired number of distributionlocations 40, 42. For example, in some embodiments, multiple dischargelines may be connected to the same distribution location. Alternatively,as illustrated in FIG. 1, each discharge line 30, 32, 34, 36 may beconfigured to connect to a respective distribution location 40, 42.Additionally, in further embodiments, there may be any desired number ofdischarge lines 30, 32, 34, 36 connected to the same distributionlocation 40, 42. Discharge lines 30, 32, 34, and 36 may include anynumber of valves 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 located at any point along thedischarge lines. Valves 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 may be configured tosubstantially allow or substantially prevent fluid flow throughdischarge lines 30, 32, 34, and 36.

Distribution locations 40, 42 may be any location known to those skilledin the art where dispensing of fluid from fluid tank 12 may be desired.For example, in an embodiment where the fluid from fluid tank 12 is acryogenic fuel, distribution locations 40, 42 may be usage sitesincluding, but not limited to, a vaporization system, a systemconfigured to be powered by the cryogenic fuel, and a truck or trailerconfigured to receive the cryogenic fuel and transport it to analternate location.

FIG. 2 illustrates a multiple pump system 100 according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure. Multiple pump system 100 mayinclude multiple features that are similar to those disclosed inrelation to the embodiment of FIG. 1. For example, multiple pump system100 may include fluid tank 12 having at least one inlet 13 and at leastone outlet 15. Fluid tank 12 may further be operatively connected to amultiple pump system 100. Multiple pump system 100 may include a firstpump vessel 124 connected to fluid tank 12 via conduit 14. In addition,multiple pump system 100 may include a second pump vessel 126 connectedto discharge lines 30, 32 of the one of more first pumps 26 via pumpvessel inlet conduit 150 and the inlet of fluid tank 12 via pump vesselreturn conduit 151. Similar to conduit 14 connecting the first pumpvessel 124 and fluid tank 12, conduit 151 may include a valve 16.Similar to conduit 51 connecting fluid tank 12 to first pump vessel 124,conduit 151 may include valve 52. Each respective valve 16, 52 may beconfigured to manually or automatically transition between an openconfiguration and a closed configuration.

Moreover, each of first pump vessel 124 and second pump vessel 126 mayinclude multiple features that are similar to insulated vessel 24 in theembodiment of FIG. 1. Furthermore, each of first pump vessel 124 andsecond pump vessel 126 may include at least one inlet 18 and one outlet19 configured to receive fluid from fluid tank 12 or the first pump 26discharge lines. Moreover, one or more inlets 18 or outlets 19 may beconfigured for insertion and/or removal of measuring devices and/ormaintenance devices, and/or to drain fluid in emergency andnon-emergency situations. Similar to multiple pump vessel 24 in theembodiment of FIG. 1, each of first pump vessel 124 and second pumpvessel 126 may also include at least one sensor and/or at least oneindicator configured for measuring conditions within and around therespective pump vessel 124, 126 and provide audio and/or visual signalsto a device operator and/or an automated control device.

FIG. 2 illustrates that first pump vessel 124 may include one or morefirst pumps 26 located therein, and second pump vessel 126 may includeone or more second pumps 28 located therein. Each of first pump andsecond pump vessels 124, 126 may include any desired number of firstpumps 26 and second pumps 28 respectively. In one embodiment, first pumpand second pump vessels 124, 126 may include at least two first pumps 26and at least two second pumps 28, respectively. In one embodiment, firstand second pump vessels 124, 126 may include at least two low pressurepumps 26 and at least two high pressure pumps 28, respectively. Inanother embodiment, first pumps 26 and second pumps 28 may be located inthe same first pump vessel. For instance, first pump vessel 124 orsecond pump vessel 126 may include zero pumps, and first and secondpumps 26 and 24 may be located in the same pump vessel. In someembodiments, first and second pumps 26, 24 may include the same type ofpump.

The plurality of first and second pumps 26, 28 may be the same pumps asthose discussed in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 1. For example,the plurality of first and second pumps 26, 28 may be any suitable pumpsknown to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to,positive displacement pumps such as gear pumps, plunger pumps, pistonpumps, and centrifugal pumps. In addition, the plurality of first pumps26 may be configured to dispense the fluid from fluid tank 12 at a firstpressure, and the plurality of second pumps 28 may be configured todispense the fluid from fluid tank 12 at a second pressure. The firstand second pressures may be different from one another. Similar to theembodiment of FIG. 1, the plurality of first pumps 26 may be configuredto dispense the fluid in a pressure range of about 150-250 psi, and theplurality of second pumps 28 may be configured to dispense the fluid ina pressure range of about 4000-5000 psi.

In addition, each of the plurality of first pumps 26 may be driven by arespective first power source 39, and each of the plurality of secondpumps 28 may be driven by a respective second power source 38. Aspreviously discussed in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 1, first andsecond power sources 39, 38 may be any suitable power source known tothose skilled in the art including, but not limited to, electric,pneumatic, and hydraulic motors. Moreover, each first and second powersource 39, 38 may be located within or exterior to each first and secondpump vessel 124, 126, respectively. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, forexample, each first power source 39 may be located within first pumpvessel 124, and each second power source 38 may be located exterior tosecond pump vessel 126.

Each first power source 39 and each second power source 38 may furtherbe configured to output power at different power levels to the pluralityof first and second pumps 26, 28, respectively. For example, in theembodiment of FIG. 2, each first power source 39 may be configured tooutput power in a range of 20-30 hp to each respective first pump 26,and each second power source 38 may be configured to output power in arange of 30-200 hp to each respective second pump 28.

Each of the plurality of first pumps 26 and the plurality of secondpumps 28 may further be connected to a respective discharge line 30, 32,34, 36. As previously discussed, each discharge line 30, 32, 34, 36 mayalso be connected to a distribution location 40, 42, such that fluid maybe dispensed through a discharge line 30, 32, 34, 36 to a desireddistribution location 40, 42. Discharge lines 30, 32, 34, 36 may alsoinclude any number of valves 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 capable of open andclosed configurations to substantially prevent or allow fluid flowthrough the discharge lines and to distribution location 40, 42. FIG. 2further illustrates that each discharge line 30, 32, 34, 36 may beconfigured to extend through an opening 144 located in an exteriorsurface of respective first pump vessel 124 and second pump vessel 126.

Openings 144 may include features that are similar to openings 44 inmultiple pump vessel 24 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. For example,openings 144, 138 may be against an outer surface of their respectivepump vessel 124, 126. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 2, openings144 may include hollow structures extending from the outer surface offirst and second pump vessels 124, 126, respectively. In addition, eachopening 144 may include any suitable size, shape, and/or configurationsuch that it may enable insertion and removal of a respective at leastone first pump 26 and at least one second pump 28 therethrough.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the present disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that thespecification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a truescope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multiple pump system, comprising: a fluid tank;a multiple pump vessel including a space configured to receive fluidfrom the fluid tank; a first pump enclosed entirely within the space;and a second pump enclosed entirely within the space, wherein at leastone of the first pump or the second pump is configured to pump the fluidstored within the space simultaneously to a plurality of distributionlocations disposed outside the multiple pump vessel via separateconduits, each conduit having one end connected to the at least one ofthe first pump or the second pump and an opposite end located adjacentto a different one of the distribution locations.
 2. The multiple pumpsystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fluid tank or themultiple pump vessel is movable.
 3. The multiple pump system of claim 1,wherein at least one of the fluid tank or the multiple pump vessel isinsulated.
 4. The multiple pump system of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the first pump or the second pump is partially submerged in the fluiddisposed within the space.
 5. The multiple pump system of claim 1,wherein a maximum volume of fluid in the multiple pump vessel is lessthan a maximum volume of fluid stored in the fluid tank.
 6. The multiplepump system of claim 1, further including a vent stack attached to themultiple pump vessel.
 7. The multiple pump system of claim 1, whereinthe multiple pump vessel includes an opening configured to allowinsertion or removal of at least one of the first pump or the secondpump from the multiple pump vessel.
 8. The multiple pump system of claim7, wherein the opening is flush against an outer surface of the multiplepump vessel.
 9. The multiple pump system of claim 1, wherein the firstpump is one of a plurality of first pumps.
 10. The multiple pump systemof claim 1, wherein the fluid tank is one of a plurality of fluid tanksconfigured to supply the fluid to the multiple pump vessel.
 11. Amultiple pump vessel, comprising: an enclosure configured to store afluid; a first pump located entirely within the enclosure; and a secondpump located entirely within the enclosure, wherein at least one of thefirst pump or the second pump is configured to pump the fluid stored inthe enclosure simultaneously to a plurality of distribution locationsdisposed outside the enclosure via separate discharge lines, eachdischarge line having one end connected to the at least one of the firstpump or the second pump and an opposite end located adjacent to adifferent one of the distribution locations.
 12. The multiple pumpvessel of claim 11, further including: an inlet configured to receivethe fluid into the enclosure; a first discharge line connected to thefirst pump and configured to dispense the fluid to a first distributionlocation selected from the distribution locations; and a seconddischarge line connected to the second pump and configured to dispensethe fluid to the first distribution location.
 13. The multiple pumpvessel of claim 12, wherein the first discharge line and the seconddischarge line are not connected.
 14. The multiple pump vessel of claim11, wherein each of the first discharge line and the second dischargeline exits the multiple pump vessel through a respective opening. 15.The multiple pump vessel of claim 11, wherein the enclosure isinsulated.
 16. The multiple pump vessel of claim 11, wherein theenclosure includes at least one opening configured to allow insertion orremoval of at least one of the first pump or the second pump from theenclosure.
 17. The multiple pump vessel of claim 11, further including:a vent stack; and a vent valve coupled to the vent stack.
 18. Themultiple pump vessel of claim 11, wherein the first pump and the secondpump are configured to dispense the fluid at the same pressure or atdifferent pressures.
 19. The multiple pump vessel of claim 11, furtherincluding: a first power source configured to operate the first pump;and a second power source configured to operate the second pump.
 20. Themultiple pump vessel of claim 19, wherein the first power source isconfigured to operate the first pump at a first power level, and thesecond power source is configured to operate the second pump at a secondpower level different from the first power level.